Prince of Wales School
2250 Eddington Dr.
Vancouver, B.C.
(two blocks west of Nanton Ave. & Arbutus St.)

All classes start at 7:00 PM

For all courses, you may register and pay on-line, or in person at the school on the first or second night of the course. We accept cash, cheque or Visa for payment at the school. Debit cards or other credit cards will not be accepted. On-line registration will not be available after the first class of any course.

Please arrive by 6:45 on the first night of class to complete registration and obtain materials.

For the Advanced or Elective courses, please register on-line, or advise the Assistant Training Officer, Kit Griffin, of your intent to attend at least one week before the class starts, so that we may obtain the course materials in time for the first class.

The Pacific Mainland District website lists other squadrons in the Lower Mainland that offer these courses. Squadrons elsewhere in Canada can be found via The CPS National website.

Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) Requirements

All Operators of pleasure craft fitted with a motor and used for recreational purposes require a PCOC or other proof of compentency.

Proof of competency can take any of several forms:

• 1. A Pleasure Craft Operator Card;
• 2. Proof of having successfully completed a boating safety course in Canada prior to April 1, 1999; or,
• 3. A completed rental-boat safety checklist; or,
• 4. Any one of several Commercial certifications (see the Office of Boating Safety website for details)

The PCOC or other relevant documentation (or copy thereof) must be carried on-board while operating a vessel. These requirements do not apply in the Northwest and Nunavut Territories at this time.

Further information on PCOC requirements can be found on the Transport Canada "Office of Boating Safety" website

Boating (often known as "The Power Squadron Course") is the primary course offered to the public. Successful completion of this course is a prerequisite for membership in CPS. The exam for the federal government's mandatory Pleasure Craft Operator's Card (PCOC) is included in this course.

BoatPro (PCOC) is a very basic course covering the minimum requirements for the Pleasure Craft Operator's Card (PCOC). Vancouver Squadron does not offer the BoatPro course, however we do sell the BoatPro manual for self-study and will provide the P.C.O.C. government exam on request. The Manual and exam are available from Mid-September to Mid-December and Mid-January to Mid-May at Prince of Wales High School after 7:30pm during the Boating Course on Tuesday or Thursday evenings only.

The Marine Radiotelephone Operator Seminar ("VHF Course") qualifies the student for the Restricted Radiotelephone Operator's Certificate, required to operate a marine radiotelephone in Canada.

The Advanced Courses and Elective Courses are open to the public, and have no prerequisites. However, the Advanced courses assume that the student has taken the previous courses, or has equivalent knowledge.

For the Advanced and Elective courses, please register at least one week before the first class, so that we can get sufficient course material in time for the first class.